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Found on History of Summit County: With an Outline Sketch of Ohio - William Henry Perrin - Google Books page 598-600. "John Kepler who made the first permanent settlement in Green Township came out to the new country with his family in the fall of 1809. He was a blacksmith by trade and worked at this occupation some in his new home. His brother Andrew brought him out to Ohio with his four horse team he then returned to Pennsylvania for his own family and they reached Green Township in the spring of 1810. The Keplers were born in Bucks County Penn and married twin sisters. John's wife was Magdalena Cramer and Andrew married Mary. The Keplers purchased from the Government 320 acres comprising the east half of Section 17. John occupied the western part of this tract and Andrew the eastern half. In after years they purchased other extensive tracts which are now the property of their descendants. When John first arrived with his family they lived for some time in a hut built beside a log then erected a more permanent residence on the land afterward occupied by his brother. Andrew which they owned during the first winter and for a short time after Andrew's family came in 1810 for a brief period both families occupied the same cabin. John Kepler was not able to go to the war of 1812 and so he assisted in sending young John Dixon as his substitute furnishing him with blankets and other articles of clothing. John was a resident of Green Township for about twenty five years and was then killed while working a cider press. His wife survived him many years and John was buried in the graveyard on his brother Andrew's farm. He was the father of nine children as follows Catharine married Henry Warner of Coventry John formerly of Green. Jacob now a resident of Coventry Andrew shot on August 16 1871 by his son in law. Daniel moved to De Kalb County and George formerly of Coventry now deceased. Henry died at eighteen Samuel died in Illinois and Lena died after marrying Henry Cook Daniel was the youngest child when the family re moved to Ohio. After Andrew Kepler moved his family to Ohio he sold two of his horses to his brother John and shortly afterward the other two animals died. He then purchased oxen to aid in farming. The family suffered many hardships for several years. The Indians would frequently appear with their ponies dogs and papooses they brought baskets which they desired to trade for flour meal potatoes and other articles. When Andrew was with the American army during the war of 1812 the Indians kept his wife supplied with venison which they exchanged for meal and potatoes. Mrs Kepler never feared the savages for they were always friendly and kept their promises. It was only necessary to supply one with a loaf of bread and tell him that venison was desired at a certain time and he never failed to respond. But the wolves were very troublesome and would occasionally approach within five or six rods of the fire where Mrs Kepler was cooking the meals. Mrs Rebecca Herring formerly Miss Kepler says We children did not hate the Indians so much as we did the wolves these animals howled around the house at night until we thought the clap boards on the roof were shaking. Finally the State offered a bounty for each wolf scalp and the howling tribe of the forests commenced to decrease in numbers and in a score of years farmers were able to raise sheep with profit. At one time during the absence of her husband Mrs Andrew Kepler caught a wild turkey with her hands, she made a feast to which she invited her relatives and friends. About the same time old Joseph Triplet's wife having obtained a rumor from some source that the British and Indians were coming alarmed the neighborhood. The two Kepler families the Smiths and the Buchtels hastily prepared to leave and got half way to Canton before they found the alarm was false. This was possibly at the time Capt Drake in order to try his men gave a false alarm and his men became panic stricken. Andrew Kepler after living in the township nearly fifty years died January 16 1855 at the advanced age seventy eight years and eleven months. He was buried in the graveyard at East Liberty. He was the father of eleven children, Nine grew to maturity were married and raised large familes and the Kepler descendants are very numerous in Green Township and else where. These nine children are located as follows Elizabeth married Samuel Stover and re moved to Illinois Mary married three times and is now the widow of Jacob Paulner at Greensburg Catharine married Peter Wilhelm of Green and died Sarah now Mrs David Warner of Green John of Green Rebecca now the widow of Lewis Herring of Green Jacob A died in Green Andrew of East Liberty and Samuel struck by lightning on August 10 1854."
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